Best of San Diego 2005

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WELCOME TO THE 2005 Best of San Diego. For the first time, we asked our readers not just to vote but to help come up with categories. You sent us some great suggestions, with a few old favorites, some promising newcomers and a couple of surprises. We also asked local notable personalities about the best things in their worlds. Those are all here, too.

We learned a few things this year. Who knew people would get so heated over choosing a farmers’ market? What exactly is a lucuma? And when did knitting become a bar activity? We all know San Diego has a lot to offer. Here you’ll find things you may not know about but just shouldn’t miss —— very few of them weather-related. So go ahead, have at it. Try a little something new.

And to whoever sent in “Best Way To Get a Date = Tequila,” honey, get help.

Most Valuable Player

Chargers superstar running back La Dainian Tomlinson is the best of all current NFL running backs. Props to rejuvenated QB Drew Brees. But L.T. amassed 1,776 rushing and receiving yards and scored 17 touchdowns in last year’s playoff season. Number 21 is a galloping thoroughbred and is our city’s sports MVP.

Garden Pottery/Mexican Pots

You’ll only find handmade pots of high-fired terra cotta at Mex-Art Inc. in the Morena District. Owner Diane Salisbury searches out the best in central Mexico, where the clay is different in content than that found near the Baja border. Border clay dissolves, says Salisbury. The store also carries equipales (pigskin leather) furniture and hundreds of colorful accent items. 1155 Morena Boulevard, 619-276-5810; mexartpottery.com

Chocolates

Try the dark-chocolate ganache infused with anise, peppercorns and spices in bittersweet chocolate. Or the lucuma (a Peruvian fruit) ganache in milk chocolate. There are moresedate choices, but with original Peruvian ingredients, why not take a walk on the wild side? Guanni Chocolates are available at farmers’ markets: Sunday in Hillcrest, corner of Normal Street and Lincoln; Tuesday in Escondido, Grand Avenue between Broadway and Kalmia. 858-337-6805; guannichocolates.com

Bartender

Ron Steen stands at the helm of Oceanaire’s Art Deco–style lounge. A one-man show behind the retro eatery’s gleaming bar, Steen prefers to serve up classic cocktails. This 34- year-old, who moved to San Diego from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been bartending nearly half his life. 400 J Street, downtown, 619-858-2277; theoceanaire.com

Flowers

Stop by Hidalgo Flowers at the Hillcrest farmers’ market and try to control your urge to buy them by the armload. They’re fresh, they’re fragrant, and they last until the next market day. It’s pure plant bliss. Normal at Lincoln, Hillcrest, every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chrissy Russo, TV weather reporter, Fox 6:

Clothing Store

Let's Go“The stylist here, Sinisa Ristic, is the best in town. I can’t afford much in the store, but the things he picks out for me are timeless. He’s responsible for my butterfly belts, scary-short skirts and that shirt with a tie over the shoulder. And he will tell you if your butt looks big in those jeans. Sassy.” 7863 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, 858-459-2337

Beth Shelburne, news anchor, Local 8 News:

Jewelry

Annmarie D’Ercole Jewelry & Apparel
“There’s a unique selection of clothes, handbags and accessories you won’t find in department stores. Annmarie also designs beautiful contemporary and fine jewelry at great prices.” 207 15th Street, Del Mar, 858-792-6953; annmariedercole.com

Bargain Massage

Mueller Community Wellness Center has opened a new location in Bankers Hill. You can still get a cheap massage, and it will probably even be in a private room. $30 buys you the soothing hands of a newbie, while $50 gets you a licensed graduate student. Relax and say “Aaaaah . . .” 2150 Fourth Avenue, 619-794-2444; muellercollege.com

Cheap Home Store

Pier One Imports, home of rattan and batik, inexpensive stemware and commercials starring Kirstie Alley, sends discontinued and out-of-season merchandise to its clearance store and slashes the prices. A sharp eye can get you some great bargains on home wares. 1735 Hancock Street, 619-291-9920

Cheap Thrill

The Giant Dipper in Mission Beach tops off any San Diego day. The roller coaster opened July 4, 1925. The 2,600-foot wooden coaster cost $150,000 to build. Raise your arms and hold your breath. belmontpark.com

Disco Bowling

Parkway Bowl in El Cajon has 68 lanes with automatic bumpers, 17 pool tables, video games, laser tag and arcade games, sports TV, a Mexican restaurant, a pizzeria, a pro shop, beer and eight private lanes with lights and sound. Add an Elvis wedding chapel and it’s a lost weekend all in one place. 1280 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, 619-448-4111; parkwaybowl.com

Pizza by the Slice

Native New Yorkers know pies. At Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest, they use bottled water in the dough, whole-milk mozzarella and fresh ingredients from a 30-year-old recipe. A slice comes with genuine Big Apple, brick-oven attitude. 111 Washington Street, 619-291-3341; bronxpizza.com

Bloody Mary

Served in Anthony’s Crested Tub and garnished with celery and a lime wedge, the Bloody Mary from Anthony’s is an incomparable concoction. The choice drink mixes vodka, tomato juice, Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire sauce with Tabasco, a touch of celery salt and fresh lime. 1360 North Harbor Drive, downtown, 619-232- 5103; also in Chula Vista (619-425-4200) & La Mesa (619-465-1935); gofishanthonys.com

Larry Himmel, reporter, Local 8 News:

Chicago-Style Pizza

Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria
“They come with thin crust and homemade sausage. It’s as Chicago as corrupt politicians and lousy weather.” 3448 30th Street, North Park, 619-295-1720

Barbara-Lee Edwards, anchor, Local 8 News:

Salon

Dearinger Salon
“Everyone is so professional and so experienced, and the scalp massages before your haircut are heaven.” 6875 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, 858-454-1000

Annual Arts Event

Jean Isaacs’ Trolley Dances brings together some of San Diego’s best dancers and choreographers and lets their imaginations run wild. Each group picks a location accessible by trolley and creates a site-specific performance. Indoors, outdoors, in the trees, across a stream, on an escalator—it’s a great way to spend an autumn afternoon. Jean Isaacs’ San Diego Dance Theater, 12246 Brickellia Street, 858-642-0148; sandiegodancetheater.org

Seat in the House

Table Six on the Ocean Terrace Bistro at George’s at the Cove is the one you want. Through a glass barrier, you look at La Jolla Cove 150 feet below, and all the way to Carlsbad to the north. Actually, all seven tables along the glass offer stunning Pacific views and it’s a bonus that the food’s terrific, too. You can request the tables, but they can’t be booked in advance. 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, 858-454-4244; georgesatthecove.com

Fabric Store

You couldn’t even begin to count the bolts of fabric in the 12,000-square-foot showroom of locally owned Cutting Corners in Kearny Mesa. If you know what you want, the store has it. And if you don’t have a clue, a highly experienced staff person will help you sort out your options. Manager Jason Rocha is the “newest” employee, and he’s been there 17 years. 5150 Convoy Street, 858-560-5831

Lingerie Store

Victoria may have a secret, but Hustler Hollywood San Diego doesn’t. This risqué downtown outlet owned by porn magnate Larry Flynt is where lingerie fantasies come true. The clothes—lingerie and thongs galore— are primarily on the second floor. The faint of heart ought not to climb up to the third floor. 929 Sixth Avenue, downtown, 619-696-9007

Strip Club

There are some fine specimens here. Big, meaty and succulent. Man, does it get hot. You have to work it just right, and then comes the payoff. Oh, wait, we’re talking about the Gaslamp Strip Club. The downtown restaurant where you grill your own steaks. What did you think we were describing, Cheetahs? 340 Fifth Avenue, 619-231-3140; gaslampsteaks.com

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